Difference between Chiro, Physio, McTimoney massage?

[GeorgeyGal]

I may be over reacting but want to get my 6 yr old cob's back checked. Cut and backed late only been in ridden work less than a year and just light hacking x4 per week. It's playing on my mind that when in canter if I push him on sometimes his ears go back head down and I feel his back rounding like he's getting ready to buck, I will get his head up and push on as d't really want to find out if he's going to buck. He's a stoic boy and worry he may be in pain, although probably because he's green and unbalanced. What would be the best sort of 'back person' for this?

 

[flosskins]

my vet recommends a physio over the other options, with chiro second and not much store set by the mctimoney

 

[Goldenstar]

It's a no brainer use fully trained ACPAT physio used to working with your vets practise .

 

[cptrayes]

The big difference I think, is that a qualified animal physio has had to train on humans who can speak about what they are feeling before doing animals. Their training is very lengthy. I would not use either of the others.

 

[khalswitz]

I also use a Masters qualified human and animal chiro alongside an ACPAT Physio. Chiro is much more useful in terms of back and joints IMO, and can treat things the Physio doesn't get to, and they work well alongside each other.

 

[Arzada]

The big difference I think, is that a qualified animal physio has had to train on humans who can speak about what they are feeling before doing animals. Their training is very lengthy. I would not use either of the others.

This is why the horse and I have the same chiro - because he trained on humans and horses and works wonders with both of us.

 

[Joeyjojo]

A physiotherapist focuses on getting the muscles functioning at their best. In my experience (on me!) they will give you exercises to do to help strengthen the correct muscles. Their treatment may incorporate several techniques such as laser or ultrasound therapy, but this will depend on the practitioner.

A chiropractor focuses on getting the nervous system working at its best through improving range of motion of joints. McTimoney (not McTim Corley which is seperate) is one of the chiropractic collages so will employ these techniques.

Personally I think there is a lot of merit in both and would most likely pick based on local recommendations.

There are masters level courses for both physio and chiropractic techniques that do not require you to have trained on humans first. I don't agree that they are not worth considering - that argument to me seems a little like saying you shouldn't use a vet as they didnt train to be a doctor first!

 

[canteron]

I think it depends on the practitioner. Locally there is one physio, who I don't rate, one McTimoney who has magic hands, one chiro who is very methodical but doesn't quite have the finess to be brilliant. The training is only so much of the puzzle, some people just have better natural ability and feel.

 

[cptrayes]

There are masters level courses for both physio and chiropractic techniques that do not require you to have trained on humans first. I don't agree that they are not worth considering - that argument to me seems a little like saying you shouldn't use a vet as they didnt train to be a doctor first!

Not the same at all. Most vet treatment would not be affected by the patient being able to speak. It's probably an advantage most of the time that they can't. 'Get your arm out of there!'

 

[Kat]

Just to throw in another option. I use an Osteopath for my horse, I based this on the fact that my husband found osteopathy more effective and less traumatic than chiro for his back!

The osteo I use also treats humans and has a wonderful way with horses.

 

[bliss87]

A physiotherapist is muscles and gettign them working correctly/ retraining them in the cases of lost mobitlity. Where as a chiropractor is about manipulating the skeleton to get the bones into their correct positions.the popping sound is the air between joints being forced out when the bone is realigned, for the best results you need both as if the muscles are developed in correctly the skeleton will be pulled out of line by them. I love going to the chiropractor for my back best feeling in the world after words so I imagine a similar relief for horses